Arrest warrant out for Palparan

MANILA, Philippines - The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Malolos City has issued arrest warrants against Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. and three other military officers in connection with the disappearance of University of the Philippines student activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday.

Judge Teodora Gonzales of Malolos City RTC Branch 14 issued the warrants of arrest dated Dec. 19 against Palparan and military officers Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado Jr., S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio, and M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario.

No bail was recommended for the four accused.

Copies of the arrest warrants were distributed to the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), DOJ and the press. 

The DOJ found probable cause to file two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention against the suspects.

Other respondents in the case — Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac (commanding officer of the 56th IB), 2nd Lt. Francis Mirabelle Samson, and retired M/Sgt. Donald Caigas (24th IB), Army Staff Sergeant Edgardo Osorio, Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac (commanding officer of the 56th IB), Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado (commanding officer of the 25th IB), 2nd Lt. Francis Mirabelle Samson, retired M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario, and retired M/Sgt. Donald Caigas (24th IB) – were cleared of the charges.

The DOJ dismissed the other charges of rape, serious physical injuries, grave coercion and grave threats, maltreatment of prisoners, arbitrary detention and violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Convention Against Torture.

In indicting the four suspects, the DOJ gave weight to the testimonies of witnesses who were able to establish that Cadapan and Empeño were kidnapped on June 26, 2006 and detained until June 2007. 

Hilario was charged as a co-conspirator after he was identified by farmer Raymond Manalo, whom he abducted and placed in the same detention place as the two students.

Osorio, on the other hand, was identified by witness Wilfredo Ramos as “one of the armed men who took Sherlyn and Karen.”

The DOJ said Anotado’s knowledge of the illegal detention was established by his visit to the detention site of the victims.

Palparan was indicted as “having a direct hand” in the detention of the victims.

Palparan had denied the charges, which he described as a “fishing expedition.” 

Manhunt on

Palparan and Hilario remain at large. 

Osorio and Anotado, however, yielded to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the PNP yesterday afternoon.

In a report to Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, CIDG chief Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said Osorio and Anotado are now with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Provost Marshal and will be turned over to the joint team of the CIDG and the NBI.

 Osorio and Anotado will be taken to the PNP Custodial Center while awaiting commitment order from the court.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome ordered the creation of a tracker team from the CIDG to find Palparan. He said police already have an idea where he might be.

 In the warrant, Palparan’s last residence was listed as Dado St., Wild Cat Village, Barangay Ususan, 1630 Taguig City.

 Hilario’s last residence, on the other hand, was listed as 7th Infantry Division, Fort Magsaysay, Palanan City, Nueva Ecija and/or Dado St., Wild Cat Village, Barangay Ususan, 1630 Taguig City.

The other day, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed reports that Palparan attempted to fly to Singapore but was stopped by a watchlist order.

“The watchlist order (WLO), though expired, is still in effect since we have not officially lifted it yet. There is still a need for us to issue a lift order before the effect of the WLO ceases,” De Lima said.

 Palparan was offloaded but not detained because there was no arrest warrant against him at the time.

De Lima asked the Bulacan court to issue a hold departure order (HDO) against Palparan an hour after he was stopped from flying abroad. The general earned the moniker “the butcher” for the alleged numerous human rights violations he committed during the Arroyo administration.

He earlier said he has no plans of traveling abroad because he does not have the money for it.

 “I read the other day that he’s not going to leave and that he would face this case. I guess we really can’t trust liars,” De Lima said. - With Cecille Suerte Felipe